In amongst all of the inquests and recriminations, there were a couple of lines that jumped out from Scotland’s World Cup post-mortem.
Firstly, the claim from SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell that the reaction from the Scottish football public – fans, media, pundits – had been ‘hysterical’.
‘I think obviously we’ve not performed as well as we wanted to,’ said Maxwell. ‘I think there’s been some fairly hysterical commentary back home, which hasn’t helped.’
This is the same man who, only a month ago, after handing Steve Clarke a new four-year deal on the eve of the World Cup, spoke of it being an ‘easy decision’.
So easy, in fact, that he seemingly neglected to ask Clarke what his plans would be if Scotland failed to make it past the group stage in America.
Because when Clarke then announced his resignation swiftly on the back of Scotland’s elimination being confirmed on Saturday night, he explained what his intentions had been all along.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell addresses the media after Steve Clarke’s resignation
‘I always had in my head that, if we didn’t come out of the group, which is something we’ve tried to do across three tournaments now, I always had in my head that if that didn’t happen, then it was probably the right time to step away,’ said Clarke.
Why on earth, then, would the SFA jump the gun and hand him a new contract? The sensible approach was always to wait and make an assessment based on how Scotland performed in the World Cup.
His words only reaffirmed the belief that the SFA’s decision to award him with a new contract was entirely the wrong move in the first place.
They claimed it would provide greater stability heading into the tournament. Did that apparent stability lead to an improvement in performances? Erm, no.
Did Clarke have Maxwell and the SFA over a barrel? In the absence of any offers at club level, was he determined to dig his heels in for another four years at Hampden?
In the absence of any other candidates being available, did the SFA feel content to stick with the safe option?
The wider issue here is that the SFA’s handling of this whole affair proved to be a complete and utter shambles. They have egg on their face.
All of which raises a fairly obvious question. What trust should anyone have in Maxwell and Mike Mulraney, the SFA president, to find a successor and the right man to take Scotland forward?
Quite frankly, they should be clearing their desks and leaving along with Clarke. By securing qualification for three major tournaments, Clarke became their comfort blanket.
A comfort blanket that masked the failure to address some of the fundamental issues which continue to plague the national team, namely the lack of young talent coming through the system.
SFA president Mike Mulraney (right) sits next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the Scotland Brazil match
Well, that comfort blanket has now gone. In Maxwell and Mulraney, we are left with two men whom most supporters wouldn’t trust to run a bath, let alone the national game.
Mulraney should be gone soon enough. He fancies himself for a position with either UEFA or FIFA. He is currently chair of the FIFA finance committee and also serves as vice-chair of UEFA’s legal committee.
He was also spotted hobnobbing with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during Scotland’s game against Morocco in Boston.
When the cameras cut to them in the crowd, one was tempted to caption it: one of these men is a misguided, bumbling fool promoted way above his station. The other is Gianni Infantino.
Seriously, of all the people with whom to associate? No doubt Infantino told him what a wonderful job everyone in Scotland was doing. It must have been like Fred West commenting on your new patio.
The expectation is that, as and when Mulraney leaves, it will be Andrew McKinlay who moves up from his role as SFA vice-president to become the new president.
Given that he is also currently the chief executive of Hearts, that would certainly explain McKinlay’s reluctance to rock the boat with the SFA towards the end of last season.
During Euro 2024, Mulraney had spoken of how it is no longer enough for Scotland to qualify for major tournaments, that progression and making an impact should be the true barometer of success.
Steve Clarke leaves Scotland’s Charlotte base after resigning as head coach
He was right, but it now seems like the SFA have lost sight of that. By awarding Clarke a new contract before a ball had been kicked in the World Cup, they set the precedent that qualification was enough.
They were seemingly unaware, or willing to overlook, the fact that Clarke was planning to chuck it in any case if Scotland failed to get out of the group. Either way, it does not reflect well.
It is Maxwell who is likely to be the great survivor in all of this. But his comments about the ‘hysterical commentary’ were a slap in the face to supporters.
It was absolutely tone-deaf. There was no sense of self-reflection in Maxwell’s comments. There is a lack of accountability that runs through the whole organisation in the SFA.
Scot Gemmill, the head coach of the Under-21s, would be the most prominent example of that. On his watch, the 21s have failed to qualify for a major tournament throughout his 11-year tenure.
You have to ask what the SFA are actually selling to any prospective manager? A place in Euro 2028, which Scotland will co-host, is attractive, should they qualify.
But there are few pathways for young players. There is no appetite to confront the sort of root-and-branch reform that is sorely required.
Another four years of Clarke would only have masked that. His departure has ripped off the bandage. It is now incumbent on Maxwell and the SFA to treat the wound in terms of our production of young players.
It will not be the responsibility of any new Scotland manager to fix our pathway system. Their job will be to coach the national team and get results.
Look at all of the other nations of a similar size who flourish in international football. Their players cut their teeth with the U-21s and arrive ready to make an impact with the senior team.
As a nation, we don’t do that anywhere near well enough. After reaching three of the last four major tournaments, Scottish football should be in rude health.
But Clarke’s exit only serves to highlight the lack of infrastructure that has been put in place during that period to aid long-term success and development.
Scot Gemmill has a dismal record as Scotland Under-21 manager
When Maxwell appointed Clarke back in 2019, it was a fairly easy call. His body of work with Kilmarnock made him the outstanding candidate.
Clarke was exactly the right manager for what Scotland needed at the time. He made the national team relevant again, gave us a structure, and took us to three major tournaments.
Those achievements should not be disregarded. When the dust settles, he will be remembered as a good Scotland manager.
But he will also be remembered as a manager who was totally unsuited to tournament football, a manager who could not break free from his own innate sense of caution.
It is possible to believe that Clarke was good for Scotland, whilst also believing that his time was up and a change was necessary. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
Maxwell spoke earlier this week about casting the net far and wide in the search for a successor. Given how Clarke’s exit has blindsided everyone, one suspects he hasn’t a clue where to start looking.
